Dr. Chris's Articles

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a condition where there are inflammatory changes in the lungs due to infection most commonly by bacteria. However viruses, fungi and even parasites are also capable of causing pneumonia. Certain other factors like intake of some drugs or autoimmune diseases may also lead to pneumonia.

What is Polio?

Polio is a contagious viral infection caused by the polio virus. The most severe form of the disease includes paralysis and even death but this is uncommon. The virus usually spreads via the feco-oral route. There are three varieties of paralytic polio namely spinal, bulbar and bulbospinal depending upon the site of involvement of the central nervous system.

What are warts?

Warts are small growths caused by a viral infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than 100 varieties of HPV that are responsible for warts. Children are commonly affected with warts and usually the warts appear between 12 and 16 years. About 30% of the warts disappear spontaneously but after complete disappearance there may be a chance of reappearance of the warts.

What is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is type of infectious disease that most commonly affects young children between the age group of 4 and 8 years. This disease arises in some following throat infection by the bacteria Streptococcus and is characterized by appearance of typical rash covering almost whole of the body, high fever and pain in the throat (sore throat).

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition of by profound impairment of the immune system. Various types of mouth lesions such as candidiasis, hairy cell leukoplakia and a range of gum diseases are prevalent in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In fact in some cases the oral manifestations itself can act as an indicator of a human immunodeficiency virus infection.

About Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that occurs as a result of an infection with Treponema pallidum. Although it is usually transmitted via sexual contact, babies can contract the disease during birth from infected mothers. The symptoms of the disease depend upon the stage of the infection.

What is PMR?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a medical condition characterized by pain, swelling and restricted movement in multiple joints especially the neck, shoulder and hip joints. The exact underlying cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is not known, however, patients with temporal arteritis, a disease characterized by inflammatory changes in the blood vessels also suffer from polymyalgia rheumatic. Usually people above 65 years of age are most commonly affected and it is rare in people less than 50 years of age. The main treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica is dependent upon oral intake of steroids.

What is sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a medical condition characterized by deposition of inflammatory cells in the form of nodules in different body parts namely lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known but it is believed to arise when inflammatory cells of the body start producing antibodies against some unknown foreign substances. Women between the age group of 20 and 40 years are at increased risk of suffering from this disease. There is no cure available for sarcoidosis. However, most patients respond well to treatment even in some the symptoms may go away completely.

What is ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy where the implantation of the growing embryo occurs outside the uterine cavity. The most common site of ectopic implantation of the growing fetus is in the fallopian tubes although implantation may occur in the cervix, ovaries and even in the abdominal cavity. Ectopic pregnancy is considered an medical emergency and if not managed early and adequately there is a risk of heavy bleeding and even death of the pregnant women.

About Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the salivary glands present in the oral cavity, neck or throat region. There are three main salivary glands namely parotid, sublingual and submandibular glands. The most commonly involved salivary gland is the parotid gland located in front of the ear. Common symptoms include lump in the affected salivary gland, weakness of the muscle of the face, difficulty in swallowing etc. older people with history of exposure to radiation are at increased risk of suffering from salivary gland cancer. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the different modes of treatment.